Friday, October 30, 2015

This Week in Patterns (30-Oct-2015)

Happy almost Halloween! I am so far behind on my project blogging, it's not even funny. Over at the CSC, I've been busy working on a few things that I hope you'll all like, or at least find entertaining, and that's been eating up a lot of my blogging time.

In the meantime, we have a LOT of new patterns! This week, we had releases from the following pattern companies:

Disclaimer: I tested this pattern and received a free copy of it, so my opinions (which are my own) are based off of my testing experience with this pattern.

A lot of people love the Grainline Archer shirt, but I also know that a lot of people feel that it's too boxy and would prefer a shirt with the same details but more shaping. Here's the shirt pattern that you've been looking for--the Blank Slate Novelista:

Blank Slate - Novelista shirt

Blank Slate- Novelista (line drawings)

You can't necessarily tell from the line drawings and sample photos, but the Novelista has the classic shirt details that a lot of blouse patterns lack: sleeve plackets (long sleeved version), a yoke, and a collar-with-stand. I'm really excited about this pattern, and you'll be seeing my version of it once I've had a chance to sew up a non-muslin/non-test version.

Butterick was the last of the Big 4 to release its winter collection. This collection is heavy on sleep- and loungewear, so if that's your thing to sew, you'll probably find a few patterns in this batch to add to your shopping list.

I'm only calling out this Gertie pattern, which to me is otherwise uninteresting, because it strongly resembles the Cake Pavlova pattern from a few years ago. Gertie's skirt is pleated, and the Pavlova is a circle skirt, but those are the biggest differences that I'm seeing.

I had to pick this pattern just because it's the first pattern that I've seen for a babywearing jacket, period. I see RTW versions of these all over the MLS Sounders games that my family attends. These weren't a thing, really, even three years ago when my daughter was a baby, but I love the idea of it and would have wanted one of these if they had been around. There's a maternity view for the pre-baby mom, too.

This is Liesl's (of Oliver & S and Lisette patterns) take on classic pajamas. They're quite similar to the Closet Case Files Carolyn Pajamas in that both patterns have similar details: piping, pockets, and both long and short views.

Along with the Blank Slate Novelista, we have another entry in the category of Patterns That Fill a Glaring Hole in Current Pattern Catalogs--this time from Muse Patterns. Kat's new pattern includes a shrug and a skirt with four different views of various fullnesses and lengths. The maxi- view is exactly what I had in mind this past summer when I was trying to find a pattern for an interesting maxi-skirt that wasn't the Sewaholic Gabriola. I really like all four views of the skirt, although I think I prefer the flared versions slightly. I'd never personally sew the shrug (shrugs and large busts don't mix, in my experience), but it's a nice pattern extra to include for most women.

Whereas the previous release from New Look appeared to be made up entirely of refreshed and reissued patterns, the Winter release includes entirely new patterns, as far as I can tell. (Please correct me on this in the comments, if I'm wrong.) Not a whole lot of it excites me, but there are a few decent basics in the group. Here are the two patterns that stood out the most to me:

This cardigan/jacket/coat is similar to the popular StyleArc Harper jacket. I've been seeing this style around town for the past year or so, and it's surprisingly wearable on a lot of different body types. If I didn't already own the StyleArc, I'd probably pick up the New Look version.

I think that the color used in the sample is hideous, but this pattern includes a nice princess seamed shift-style tunic and cigarette pants. There's also a basic pencil skirt pattern, if for some reason, you need one and don't already have one.

The online reaction to Simplicity's Winter/Holiday collection this year has been mostly "meh", but I feel like there are a few gems in here. Overall, this collection certainly grabs me more than McCall's and Vogue's Winter/Holiday releases. There are definitely a few in this bunch that I'll be picking up at a future JoAnn's sale. The Vintage offerings are particularly strong this time around, IMO, but that could be my own bias because I'm one of those odd people who actually likes some 70's fashions.

First up is this A-line gored button-down skirt. I had a rayon challis skirt from Express like this in college--another time that the 70's were a big fashion influence. I loved that skirt. And I got really excited when I saw Bowfinger because Heather Graham was wearing the same skirt that I owned. In any case, this seems like a no-brainer to pick up when it's on sale.

Can a person own too many shirt dress patterns? I don't think so. This one is kind of similar to the famous McCall's 6696 (aka "Mary's shirtdress"), but the Simplicity has an option for a partial circle skirt and an option for a shirdress without a waist seam. Like the McCall's the Simplicity has some cup size options, too.

OMG, a girls' moto jacket pattern! And my daughter is big enough for it! I am so making this. In addition to the adorable moto jacket, there are some really useful everyday coordinates in this envelope, too. There isn't a piece in this bunch that I wouldn't sew or dress my daughter in.

Simplicity 8027

Final Thoughts

There was a lot to like this week, IMO. If you're looking for an Archer with more shaping, the Blank Slate Novelista is your pattern. I also really like Muse's new skirt pattern--enough that I ordered it right away while it was still on sale. There aren't any must-haves for me out of the Butterick or New Look collections, but from Simplicity, I want the girls' moto jacket, 70's wrap dress, and the shirtdress.

The Simplicity wrap dress is gorgeous... so I checked it out on their website.... Fabric Monster but you are right - it's lovely! I also like the 70s skirt and would buy it if I hadn't already purchased (and made) the Deer & Doe Fumeterre skirt.I love the McCalls denim shirtdress. I've been wanting one for ages - and bought several patterns which never felt quite right - this looks exactly like what I've had in my head. Thanks!

I love these posts. This week they're all pretty "meh" for me. I'm curious to see your review of the Novelista shirt. I would love a nice button down pattern with shape, but I'm usually too lazy to do the needed FBA.

I got caught up in the Archer thing, but have never made it up because on consideration the lack of shaping isn't a great thing for me. So the Blank Slate patten is very interesting.I like 70s vintage patterns more than any other era, so I might just shell out for that one, even though for the life of me I can't think where I'd wear it! And I've been looking for a shirtdress pattern with shaping that doesn't have a waist seam, so the Simplicity shirtdress pattern will get some consideration. Again thanks for doing these posts.

Thank you for your weekly posts, I always enjoy them. This week is a SCORE! My daughter and I had given up looking for a baby-wearing coat pattern and now Butterick has come through! Here, in Canada, our Inuit people make some amazing baby-wearing parkas but their patterns are protected as "cultural copyright". Keep up your great pattern reviews.

great post as always. I am a sucker for denim so that Simplicity shirtdress will make it into my shopping bag sometime when they have a $1 sale. (although has everyone noticed that the 99 cent sales for Big 4 patterns are getting fewer, mostly they have $ 1.99 sales. and that little change makes me buy fewer patterns. Which I guess demonstrates perceived value)

Are you sure about the Simplicity shirtdress having cup sizing options? I couldn't find anything that said that, am I missing it? It also wasn't in the cup size category on the Simplicity website. I'm all over those 70's vintage skirts, I wanted the Deer & Doe pattern, and now I have an alternative, thanks!

That simplicity skirt!! I have been looking for one exactly like that. I had a denim one in my teen/young adult years. It was my mothers from the 70s. I lived in it, it was the perfect skirt. I wore it until I grew out of it (horizontally) and then I wore it with the top button undone. My sister has it now and I've asked her to bring it next time she visits so I can copy the details. The simplicity skirt is exactly the same except mine has pockets - easy enough to add. I've been looking for a pattern for something similar but nothing is quite right. The fumeterre skirt fro Deer & Doe is close but doesn't have the side panels.